BlackBerry returns to Korean market with launch of the Priv

Following earlier reports that highlighted BlackBerry's plans to return to the Korean market, BlackBerry has now announced official availability of the Priv there at a launch event held in Seoul. As noted by Yonhap News Agency:

It is BlackBerry's first smartphone launched in South Korea since it pulled out of the Korean market three years ago. The launch of the Priv smartphone in the Korean market came as foreign smartphone makers, such as Japan's Sony and China's Huawei, are seeking to gain market shares in the country's medium-range smartphone market. The retail price for the Priv smartphone, which was unveiled last year, was set at 598,000 won (US$534) in South Korea.

As mentioned when the news first appeared, it remains to be seen how well the Priv will be adopted in South Korea but adding another area to the list of where BlackBerry phones are available certainly cannot hurt. I highly doubt John Chen would just make the Priv available and leave it at that. Eventually, the DTEK50 and whatever comes after could see release to the Korean market as well.